Eyes on NLQ: Nebraska 16s Teams Hunting Bids in Minneapolis
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Here comes NLQ #2. This year’s second weekend of the Northern Lights Qualifier brings just the 16s into the spotlight for our coverage. We’ll have our eyes on all the happenings in Minneapolis as this age group vies for GJNC…
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Continue ReadingHere comes NLQ #2.
This year’s second weekend of the Northern Lights Qualifier brings just the 16s into the spotlight for our coverage. We’ll have our eyes on all the happenings in Minneapolis as this age group vies for GJNC bids. Nebraska teams are in the hunt yet again.
Let’s set you up for this one with a comprehensive list of all the Great Plains representatives in the 16s age group. Which squads will add to our Nebraska Bid Tracker by the end of the weekend?
16 Open
Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi
Keep an eye on the Open trio.
We’ll start with Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi, a team that surely has big goals at NLQ. We were impressed with 16 Lokahi’s performance at last month’s Midwest Power League while the team played against older competitors.
Cosette Bartling Cosette Bartling 5'10" | OH Elkhorn South | 2026 State NE and Mylee Tichota Mylee Tichota 5'11" | OH Yutan | 2026 State NE will be major catalysts on the left pin. They’re accompanied by the strong backcourt duo of Elena Estudillo Elena Estudillo 5'6" | DS/L Fremont | 2026 State NE and McKinzie Brandt McKinzie Brandt 5'7" | DS/L Fremont | 2026 State NE , who will establish ball control as a strength for 16 Lokahi.
Premier Nebraska 16 Gold
Here’s a team looking to repeat last year’s success.
The 2023 Northern Lights Qualifier proved this Premier Nebraska group could hang with the Open crowd. That momentum ultimately carried into the team’s bid-earning triumph at the Show Me Qualifier.
Perhaps Minneapolis will be the site of the next breakthrough for 16 Gold. We have fond memories of watching this team at last month’s Triple Crown NIT. Addison West Addison West 6'1" | OH Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2026 State NE led the way from the outside. Pin hitters will be vital for this squad with Hayden Liebsack Hayden Liebsack 6'1" | OH Bennington | 2026 State NE and Avery White Avery White 5'8" | RS Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2026 State NE also putting up big numbers. Don’t forget about Paighton Erb Paighton Erb 6'0" | MB Columbus | 2026 State NE in the middle.
VCNebraska 16 Elite
This will be a fascinating test for VCN 16 Elite.
It’s a new-look squad in 2024, so cast aside any results from last season. Brooklyn Stehlik Brooklyn Stehlik 5'9" | MB Platteview | 2026 State NE is one of those new faces who can play on the pin or in the middle. Standout libero Alaina Kopf Alaina Kopf 5'4" | DS/L Tri-County | 2026 State NE has moved up to VCN’s top 16s group and instantly elevates the team’s backcourt.
More 16 Elite storylines are sure to emerge, so stay tuned.
16 USA
Premier Nebraska 16 Black
It’s a solo operation in 16 USA. Premier Nebraska 16 Black is the lone Great Plains representative in this division, but the quality here couldn’t be better. Bring on the defending runner-up in this age group.
Many of 16 Black’s players rose to stardom in Minneapolis last year. Evynn Olsen Evynn Olsen 5'8" | OH Bennington | 2026 State NE is a dynamic athlete who has oscillated between libero and outside hitter. Sydney Rogokos Sydney Rogokos 5'9" | RS Millard North | 2026 State NE has locked things down at opposite with Kayelyn Liebentritt Kayelyn Liebentritt 5'11" | RS Skutt Catholic | 2026 State NE and Scotlyn Erwin Scotlyn Erwin 5'11" | MB Millard South | 2026 State NE also carrying crucial attacking roles.
Will they recapture the magic this weekend?
16 Liberty
Club Legacy 16 Alpha
Look out for Club Legacy. We were reminded of 16 Alpha’s firepower when they took down some strong squads at February’s Midwest Power League.
Addison Janke Addison Janke 5'8" | S Omaha Marian | 2026 State NE sets an offense that features a wealth of attacking talent. Emily Fulton Emily Fulton 5'9" | OH Omaha Concordia | 2026 NE , Annabella Suljuzovic Annabella Suljuzovic 5'8" | MB Omaha Marian | 2026 State NE , and Resa Milbourn Resa Milbourn 5'9" | OH NE will all be players to watch. Of course, we have to mention Jane Kubat Jane Kubat 5'6" | DS/L Omaha Westside | 2026 State NE , who ties things together at libero.
A deep climb through the Liberty bracket could be in the works for Club Legacy.
Premier Nebraska 16 Red
We’re looking forward to another display of depth from Premier Nebraska. It happened at the first NLQ weekend, so let’s run it back with the 16s.
16 Red has all the tools to make a run at a Liberty bid. Ball control is a huge plus for this group with Rayna Bartholet Rayna Bartholet 5'8" | S Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2026 State NE making an impression at setter. Stella Neal Stella Neal 5'7" | DS/L Millard West | 2026 NE and Mia Dickerson Mia Dickerson 5'8" | OH Millard West | 2026 State NE will anchor the end line, allowing 16 Red’s offense to operate.
16 American
Banzai VBC 16 Performance
We have a lot to learn about his Banzai VBC team, and it all starts at NLQ.
16 Performance will pursue a 16 American bid with its up-and-coming group of 2026s. This event will be the basis of many future additions to our rankings, so look out for some player features after this weekend.
Nebraska Elite 16 Heat
Nebraska Elite is going two-deep in 16 American. Let’s start with the club’s 16 Heat team.
16 Heat just brought a huge wave of players into our 2026 watch list. Claire Barrett Claire Barrett 5'10" | RS Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2026 NE and Lynae Faughn Lynae Faughn 5'9" | MB Millard North | 2026 NE are a pair of go-to scorers in the frontcourt. Look for Marica Remmes Marica Remmes 5'2" | DS/L Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2026 NE to make a big impact in the libero jersey.
Nebraska Elite 16 Nova
Now, let’s address 16 Nova.
This squad recently made gains at the Midwest Power League, so we’re excited to see how it translates to NLQ. Margaret McMahon has been a persistent standout in the ball control phase. She is accompanied by stout defensive specialists like Sadie Menicucci Sadie Menicucci 5'2" | DS/L Omaha Marian | 2026 State NE and Justina Cronin Justina Cronin 5'4" | DS/L Omaha Gross Catholic | 2026 NE . Any frontcourt hitter could find a rhythm with 16 Nova this weekend. We’ll see who rises up.
VCNebraska 16 Black
Everything is pointing up for VCNebraska 16 Black.
16 Black is fresh off a runner-up finish in its division at last month’s ASICS Presidents’ Day Classic. This is another revamped VCN team with a lot of new contributors, including setter Kaitlyn Bodnar Kaitlyn Bodnar 5'8" | S Duchesne | 2026 State NE and libero Piper Petersen Piper Petersen 5'8" | DS/L Lincoln Southwest | 2026 State NE .
Only one bid is available in the American division, but 16 Black could have a say in which team swipes it.